What happened to Dennis Andries?

[bennie]

Bennie

That's a great post.

I met Bunny Johnson at a boxing event at the Savoy a few years ago - was in the company of a handful of ex-posters here, great evening.

He was utterly charming and radiated class - a lot of then world champions/top level boxers went over for a chat - all were very respectful a true trailblazer.

Cheers, mate. Bunny turned pro at heavyweight and went all the way to British and Commonwealth titles at the weight. However, he was always a bit small and a clash with unbeaten American Duane Bobick on a Muhammad Ali card in Munich in 1976 convinced him to drop down to the light-heavies. Johnson made Bobick look foolish for much of the fight, outboxing him and rocking him with left hooks but the lumbering Bobick, 35-0, enjoyed a weight advantage of two stone and prevailed on sheer size and strength, after which Bunny moved down with spectacular effect.
He destroyed Leicester's Tim Wood in the first round in 1977 to wrest the British light-heavyweight title and crushed Scottish hope Rab Afflek in four rounds in his first defence. Sadly, Afflek was down for several minutes and Boxing News pictured him down, which was a surprise because Harry Mullan rarely published photos of a fighter in trouble on the canvas. Afflek never fought again. As for Bunny's scheduled defence against Tony Sibson, there is no doubt in my mind that he destroys Sibson because Bunny and Lottie Mwale were stablemates in the George Francis Highgate camp and sparred regularly and even battled it out in a 10-rounder at Wembley in 1979, with Mwale taking a tight decision. Mwale, a gifted fighter from Zambia, needed one right hand to flatten Sibson in Leicester in May 1978. Sibson was completely out.
Johnson moved on and won a Lonsdale Belt outright in the 15-round scramble with Dennis Andries (who later beat Sibson) but a fight with Kenya's John Ohdiambho in Denmark in 1980 knocked a lot of the stuffing out of him because Johnson, a proud man and a veteran of 68 outings, was outscored by a former top amateur taking part in his professional debut. The humiliation of such a defeat really hurt Bunny and proved too much for his manager Francis, who dropped him and urged him to retire. The ageing Johnson tried to reinvent himself in Australia, where it didn't happen, and eventually made his way back and called it a day.

[milpool]

Bennie will know…

Any ideas Bennie?

Afraid not. Dennis is pushing 70 these days so hopefully he is sitting back and taking it easy. I can still remember when he made a name for himself back in 1979 as a substitute for Tony Sibson against reigning British light-heavyweight champion Bunny Johnson at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. Middleweight Sibson was due to step up and challenge Johnson for the title but had previously been flattened in the first round by another light-heavyweight, Lottie Mwale of Zambia, and got the jitters as the Johnson fight drew closer. He pulled out and Andries, a relative novice, took on Johnson in a 10-rounder and was given no chance. Over the first eight rounds, Johnson boxed the ears off Andries but the underdog kept coming and the final two rounds turned into a nightmare for the champion as he faded spectacularly and Andries swung away with both hands and almost forced a stoppage.
Johnson took the decision but faced Andries again a year later, with many tipping Dennis to take the title over the 15-round course, including Boxing News. Sadly it turned into a desperate maul, one of the worst British title fights of all time. Johnson at least tried to box but Andries turned it into a wrestling contest, repeatedly dragging Johnson to the canvas. On two occasions, both men spilled out of the ring and on to the press benches. By the finish, nobody cared about the verdict but Welsh referee James Brimmell gave it to the champion. Brimmell described it as "the worst fight I have ever refereed or watched." Harry Mullan, the editor of Boxing News, wrote: "Andries offered the crudest championship challenge I have ever seen." Fortunately, the fight was off-TV.
Johnson later moved to Australia for a spell and Andries was floored and outpointed by the moody but dangerous Tom Collins for the vacant British title in London in 1982, in one of the last 15-rounders here. Andries blamed his defeat on the flu. He outpointed Collins in a 12-round rematch for the title and did the same a few months later but Collins made it close both times and nobody could foresee the glittering future that lay ahead for the Hackney Rock, particularly when he failed to dethrone rangy Dutchman Alex Blanchard for the European title in Fulham in 1985. Blanchard had Dennis on the deck and retained with a draw.
Nevertheless, Andries took his chance a few months later against American J.B. Williamson (who was awful) for the WBC title. He had no right to come again after the beating he took from Tommy Hearns in Detroit in 1987, which cost him the title. It was the type of heavy, prolonged beating that ruins fighters but Andries developed into a three-time world champion, hammering the previously unbeaten Tony Willis for the vacant WBC title in the States in 1989 and later Jeff Harding in Australia, in one of the greatest wins ever registered by a British fighter abroad.

I've seen the Andries v Williamson fight and you're right, Williamson was awful! I've often wondered how bad Prince Mama Mohammed was, who he beat for the vacant title.

[My Name Is Earl]

Any ideas Bennie?

Afraid not. Dennis is pushing 70 these days so hopefully he is sitting back and taking it easy. I can still remember when he made a name for himself back in 1979 as a substitute for Tony Sibson against reigning British light-heavyweight champion Bunny Johnson at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. Middleweight Sibson was due to step up and challenge Johnson for the title but had previously been flattened in the first round by another light-heavyweight, Lottie Mwale of Zambia, and got the jitters as the Johnson fight drew closer. He pulled out and Andries, a relative novice, took on Johnson in a 10-rounder and was given no chance. Over the first eight rounds, Johnson boxed the ears off Andries but the underdog kept coming and the final two rounds turned into a nightmare for the champion as he faded spectacularly and Andries swung away with both hands and almost forced a stoppage.
Johnson took the decision but faced Andries again a year later, with many tipping Dennis to take the title over the 15-round course, including Boxing News. Sadly it turned into a desperate maul, one of the worst British title fights of all time. Johnson at least tried to box but Andries turned it into a wrestling contest, repeatedly dragging Johnson to the canvas. On two occasions, both men spilled out of the ring and on to the press benches. By the finish, nobody cared about the verdict but Welsh referee James Brimmell gave it to the champion. Brimmell described it as "the worst fight I have ever refereed or watched." Harry Mullan, the editor of Boxing News, wrote: "Andries offered the crudest championship challenge I have ever seen." Fortunately, the fight was off-TV.
Johnson later moved to Australia for a spell and Andries was floored and outpointed by the moody but dangerous Tom Collins for the vacant British title in London in 1982, in one of the last 15-rounders here. Andries blamed his defeat on the flu. He outpointed Collins in a 12-round rematch for the title and did the same a few months later but Collins made it close both times and nobody could foresee the glittering future that lay ahead for the Hackney Rock, particularly when he failed to dethrone rangy Dutchman Alex Blanchard for the European title in Fulham in 1985. Blanchard had Dennis on the deck and retained with a draw.
Nevertheless, Andries took his chance a few months later against American J.B. Williamson (who was awful) for the WBC title. He had no right to come again after the beating he took from Tommy Hearns in Detroit in 1987, which cost him the title. It was the type of heavy, prolonged beating that ruins fighters but Andries developed into a three-time world champion, hammering the previously unbeaten Tony Willis for the vacant WBC title in the States in 1989 and later Jeff Harding in Australia, in one of the greatest wins ever registered by a British fighter abroad.

I've seen the Andries v Williamson fight and you're right, Williamson was awful! I've often wondered how bad Prince Mama Mohammed was, who he beat for the vacant title.

During the fight Reg Gutteridge says "i think the JB stands for 'just bad'.

Like Fury's did, rising from the dead against Wilder, Andries' stock rose in the US after
his Hearns shellacking. What he achieved after is a great example to any pro.
Went from deeply unpopular in the UK to a genuine favourite.

Makes you realise how 'nails' the late David Pearce was: who had been the only
man to stop Dennis in his tracks before Hearns.

[Controversial]

Makes you realise how 'nails' the late David Pearce was: who had been the only
man to stop Dennis in his tracks before Hearns.

True but to be fair to Andries, Pearce was a HW and had a decent weight advantage over him.

[My Name Is Earl]

Makes you realise how 'nails' the late David Pearce was: who had been the only
man to stop Dennis in his tracks before Hearns.

True but to be fair to Andries, Pearce was a HW and had a decent weight advantage over him.

Yeah, fair play. Shame Pearce missed out on the birth of the Cruiser' division.

[mickey1975]

Nelson stopped Dennis, a friend of mine who shared the ring with Johnny said he was the best man he ever sparred. He gets seriously underestimated.

[milpool]

Afraid not. Dennis is pushing 70 these days so hopefully he is sitting back and taking it easy. I can still remember when he made a name for himself back in 1979 as a substitute for Tony Sibson against reigning British light-heavyweight champion Bunny Johnson at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton. Middleweight Sibson was due to step up and challenge Johnson for the title but had previously been flattened in the first round by another light-heavyweight, Lottie Mwale of Zambia, and got the jitters as the Johnson fight drew closer. He pulled out and Andries, a relative novice, took on Johnson in a 10-rounder and was given no chance. Over the first eight rounds, Johnson boxed the ears off Andries but the underdog kept coming and the final two rounds turned into a nightmare for the champion as he faded spectacularly and Andries swung away with both hands and almost forced a stoppage.
Johnson took the decision but faced Andries again a year later, with many tipping Dennis to take the title over the 15-round course, including Boxing News. Sadly it turned into a desperate maul, one of the worst British title fights of all time. Johnson at least tried to box but Andries turned it into a wrestling contest, repeatedly dragging Johnson to the canvas. On two occasions, both men spilled out of the ring and on to the press benches. By the finish, nobody cared about the verdict but Welsh referee James Brimmell gave it to the champion. Brimmell described it as "the worst fight I have ever refereed or watched." Harry Mullan, the editor of Boxing News, wrote: "Andries offered the crudest championship challenge I have ever seen." Fortunately, the fight was off-TV.
Johnson later moved to Australia for a spell and Andries was floored and outpointed by the moody but dangerous Tom Collins for the vacant British title in London in 1982, in one of the last 15-rounders here. Andries blamed his defeat on the flu. He outpointed Collins in a 12-round rematch for the title and did the same a few months later but Collins made it close both times and nobody could foresee the glittering future that lay ahead for the Hackney Rock, particularly when he failed to dethrone rangy Dutchman Alex Blanchard for the European title in Fulham in 1985. Blanchard had Dennis on the deck and retained with a draw.
Nevertheless, Andries took his chance a few months later against American J.B. Williamson (who was awful) for the WBC title. He had no right to come again after the beating he took from Tommy Hearns in Detroit in 1987, which cost him the title. It was the type of heavy, prolonged beating that ruins fighters but Andries developed into a three-time world champion, hammering the previously unbeaten Tony Willis for the vacant WBC title in the States in 1989 and later Jeff Harding in Australia, in one of the greatest wins ever registered by a British fighter abroad.

I've seen the Andries v Williamson fight and you're right, Williamson was awful! I've often wondered how bad Prince Mama Mohammed was, who he beat for the vacant title.

During the fight Reg Gutteridge says "i think the JB stands for 'just bad'.

Like Fury's did, rising from the dead against Wilder, Andries' stock rose in the US after
his Hearns shellacking. What he achieved after is a great example to any pro.
Went from deeply unpopular in the UK to a genuine favourite.

Makes you realise how 'nails' the late David Pearce was: who had been the only
man to stop Dennis in his tracks before Hearns.

Yes, and for a long while that's exactly what I though JB stood for!

[coghaugen11]

He was WBC champ. Retired without a pot to piss in.

Today you have a lesser fighter in Dylan Whyte refusing to even fight for the WBC title unless paid tens of millions.

[coghaugen11]

Gary Mason, brown bread in a ditch with his bicycle potless on his way to work.

Derek Chisora couldn’t lace Gary’s boots and has 50mill in the bank.

[Controversial]

He was WBC champ. Retired without a pot to piss in.

Today you have a lesser fighter in Dylan Whyte refusing to even fight for the WBC title unless paid tens of millions.

Gary Mason, brown bread in a ditch with his bicycle potless on his way to work.

Derek Chisora couldn’t lace Gary’s boots and has 50mill in the bank.

I hear what you say but I think fighters are aware more than ever how damaging the sport is and how short their careers can be, I guess I can't blame them for wanting as much money as possible.

[THEBUTCH]

I remember Dennis also scoring a really good non-title 10 round points win over Bobby Czyz.

That was screened on UK tv, but not live.

[Coco]

He was WBC champ. Retired without a pot to piss in.

Today you have a lesser fighter in Dylan Whyte refusing to even fight for the WBC title unless paid tens of millions.

Gary Mason, brown bread in a ditch with his bicycle potless on his way to work.

Derek Chisora couldn’t lace Gary’s boots and has 50mill in the bank.

I hear what you say but I think fighters are aware more than ever how damaging the sport is and how short their careers can be, I guess I can't blame them for wanting as much money as possible.

They should have signed with Eddie, he even made Rocky Fielding a millionaire

[bigjack]

I remember Dennis also scoring a really good non-title 10 round points win over Bobby Czyz.

That was screened on UK tv, but not live.

I was amazed by Dennis's jab in that fight,i'm sure it was quite soon after Dennis joined the kronk

[THEBUTCH]

Andries had worked a lot on his jab for the Hearns fight, but his whole style was much smoother for Czyz, and Dennis turned in a very competent display.

Going to the Kronk gave him a whole new career.

[bennie]

Andries was a 4/1 underdog against Czyz in Atlantic City because the bookies were going on his performance against Hearns. In return, Jeff Harding was a 4/1 underdog against Andries a year later in Atlantic City and stopped the Londoner in the 12th and final round. Harding only got the fight when Donnie Lalonde pulled out, claiming that he no longer had the desire to fight.

[Controversial]

I saw a rare recent photo of Dennis today. Andries hands are absolutely huge! Still looks like you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him even at 71

[mickey1975]

I read an article on him recently. The last 6 months or so, anyway. It might have been in Boxing News. He didn't cooperate...

[NazNaci1]

A tough, underrated fighter.

Apart from the Hearns fight, the fight against Blanchard,, though he was dropped, I thought he did enough to win that one.

The Harding fights were pretty epic, especially the 2nd one. Just brute will, strength and power.

I also remember the Willis fight, with Willis fighting as if he was Jersey Joe Walcott and just got bombed out in heavy, brutal fashion.

[Controversial]

I read an article on him recently. The last 6 months or so, anyway. It might have been in Boxing News. He didn't cooperate...

Yeah he never gives interviews apparently, a very private person. A real shame as one of Tris Dixon's boxing life stories with him would be great.

[MasterG]

I read an article on him recently. The last 6 months or so, anyway. It might have been in Boxing News. He didn't cooperate...

Yeah he never gives interviews apparently, a very private person. A real shame as one of Tris Dixon's boxing life stories with him would be great.

At 71 how private do you want your life to be?

[Controversial]

I read an article on him recently. The last 6 months or so, anyway. It might have been in Boxing News. He didn't cooperate...

Yeah he never gives interviews apparently, a very private person. A real shame as one of Tris Dixon's boxing life stories with him would be great.

At 71 how private do you want your life to be?

How do you mean? I guess if he’s always been the same he’s unlikely to change character as he gets older.

[damage]

Cos when you get older you aren't allowed privacy apparently.

[paultom]

A tough, underrated fighter.

Apart from the Hearns fight, the fight against Blanchard,, though he was dropped, I thought he did enough to win that one.

The Harding fights were pretty epic, especially the 2nd one. Just brute will, strength and power.

I also remember the Willis fight, with Willis fighting as if he was Jersey Joe Walcott and just got bombed out in heavy, brutal fashion.

I was very impressed with the Czyz fight, Dennis suddenly had a good jab,I also loved how he clubbed Sibson, who thought it was a given he'd win it.

[MasterG]

Yeah he never gives interviews apparently, a very private person. A real shame as one of Tris Dixon's boxing life stories with him would be great.

At 71 how private do you want your life to be?

How do you mean? I guess if he’s always been the same he’s unlikely to change character as he gets older.

At 71 and best days now in the past. I would like to talk about my achievements in life, especially if I had been involved with the Kronk gym and the legends that had passed through there.

I'm sure Denis has a boat load of stories that would make a great autobiography

[Controversial]

At 71 how private do you want your life to be?

How do you mean? I guess if he’s always been the same he’s unlikely to change character as he gets older.

At 71 and best days now in the past. I would like to talk about my achievements in life, especially if I had been involved with the Kronk gym and the legends that had passed through there.

I'm sure Denis has a boat load of stories that would make a great autobiography

Yeah I’m sure he has some great stories, we are all different though so I guess he isn’t interested in talking about it publicly for whatever reason.